Effects of bisphenol A on antioxidant system and lipid profile in rats.

We investigated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on antioxidant system enzymes, blood lipid profile and histologic structure of liver and pancreas in rats. We used 40 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups of eight: control, vehicle, BPA-5, BPA-50 and BPA-500. BPA was dissolved in ethanol, then mixed with corn oil. The control group was untreated. The vehicle group was given the ethanol-corn oil mixture. The BPA 5, BPA 50 and BPA 500 groups were given 5, 50, and 500 µg/kg body weights/day, respectively. After 8 weeks, blood and tissue samples were obtained from the animals and plasma GSH, TBARS, SOD, GPx, CAT, NO, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, insulin and glucose were measured. The sections were stained using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. BPA significantly decreased the levels of GSH, SOD, GPx and CAT, and increased the levels of TBARS and NO in plasma. There was no significant difference among the groups in plasma insulin and glucose levels. The percentage of insulin immunoreactive cells in islets increased significantly in the BPA-500 group. The H-score of the BPA-5 and BPA-50 groups decreased significantly compared to controls. We found that BPA caused oxidative stress and disruption of pancreatic ß-cell function. Therefore, BPA is a risk factor for animal and human health.

The effects of L-carnitine on some hematological parameters in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet.

We evaluated the effects of L-carnitine on the hematological characteristics of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Healthy male Wistar Albino rats were assigned to four equal groups. During the 40 day experiment, group 1 was fed standard rat pellets, group 2 was fed standard rat pellets containing 7.5 % cholesterol powder, group 3 was fed standard rat pellets and water that contained 75 mg/l L-carnitine, and group 4 was fed standard rat pellets that contained 7.5% cholesterol and water that contained 75 mg/l L-carnitine. Blood samples were analyzed for red (RBC) and white (WBC) blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using an automated cell counter. The RBC count in the group that received the 7.5% cholesterol diet was decreased significantly compared to the other groups. The hematocrit of the cholesterol group was lower than for the L-carnitine + cholesterol and L-carnitine groups. The MCV in the cholesterol group was significantly higher than the control group. The MCH in the cholesterol group was higher than for the other groups. There was no significant difference among the groups with regard to hemoglobin, MCHC, WBCs and leukocyte types. L-carnitine appears to have beneficial effects on erythrocyte stability, erythropoiesis and hyperlipidemia.

Age and gender related changes in hematological parameters of thoroughbred foals.

Hematological and biochemical profiles commonly are required in equine medicine. We studied hematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (PCV), differential leukocyte counts, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in thoroughbred foals at different ages and for both sexes. Sixty healthy thoroughbred foals, 1 day, 3 days and 1 year old were used. Each age group consisted of 10 male and 10 female animals. We found significant differences related to age in RBC values of females, PCV, MCV values of males, WBC, neutrophil percentages, lymphocyte percentages, monocyte percentages of females, and eosinophil percentages and basophil percentages. Significant differences related to gender were found only with regard to PCV at 1 year and WBC at 1 day. The hematological parameters of thoroughbred foals up to one year old may be useful for evaluating and monitoring the health of these animals.

Cytochemistry of peripheral blood leukocytes in thoroughbred foals.

We attempted to characterize the cytochemical staining patterns of leukocytes and to determine the percentages of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and acid phosphatase (ACPase) positive lymphocytes in peripheral blood of thoroughbred foals at different ages. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular veins of 60 healthy thoroughbred foals, 1 day, 3 days and 1 year old. Each age group included 10 male and 10 female animals. Peroxidase (PO) activity was detected in neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Lymphocytes were negative for PO staining. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was observed in neutrophils and monocytes; eosinophils were negative. The majority of lymphocytes were negative, but a few cells showed granular PAS positivity. Monocytes were strongly positive for ANAE and ACPase, and the enzymatic reaction was common in lymphocytes. Neutrophils showed a weakly positive reaction for ANAE and ACPase. Eosinophil granules were negative or weakly positive for ANAE and usually negative for ACP, but intergranular areas were positive. Mean ANAE positive peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were 67.70, 73.10 and 49.20% in females; 64.00, 70.53, and 50.60% in males 1 day, 3 days, and 1 year old, respectively. ACPase positive PBL were 27.33, 32.83, and 37.40% in females; 29.67, 31.67, and 38.40% in males 1 day, 3 days, and 1 year old, respectively. For both enzymes, the differences between mean values for the genders were not statistically significant, but significant differences were found with regard to age. We provide comparative hematological data as a guide for identifying blood cells in thoroughbred foals.